Sheffield U14 vs Keighley U14

Keighley started the mornings contest and were immediately brought back to the centre as the kick off was judged to have narrowly failed to cross the 10m line.

Sheffield took heart from the early error and pressured Keighley at every opportunity.

Eventually Keighley were penalised for an infringement in the contact, the Sheffield back row took a quick tap ball kicked through chased and scored.
The conversion sailed through the posts.

7 - 0

Keighley returned for the restart looking menacing having taken stock of their opponents.

An intense passage of play ensued both teams showing flashes of individual and collective skill, the ball being whisked from sideline to sideline.

Frustrations were voiced and both teams were cautioned for questioning the referee.

Discipline restored Keighley won a lineout and clever kick from Lennon Curr followed by pressure from Josh Slingsby gained Keighley a scrum on Sheffields 22m.

A solid scrum and drive allowed Leon Hobson-Sheriff to wrestle the ball over the line . Ethan Lawrie was on target with the conversion.

7 - 7

A Deep restart was gathered by Jack Mchugh just on the 22m line and he chose to run the ball being bundled into touch on the halfway line.

Halftime.

A short restart was picked up by Leon Hobson-Sherrif who, cheered by spectators raced towards the Sheffield 22m line.

A penalty against Sheffield was taken quickly by Ethan Lawrie who fed Leon Hobson-Sherrif who in turn popped the ball to Jack Rodbourne who charged over the try line for five points. Lennon Curr made easy work of the conversion.

7 - 14

Adam Kemp took possesion of the restart and returned the ball to the left of the Sheffield half. Lucas Ryan eager advance siezed the ball and was only brought down by a high tackle.
Keighley continued to press forward from the penalty awarded
Slick passing found the ball with Bobby Darbyshire who had an ovelap to his right. A cheeky dummy sent the desperate defence the wrong way and Darbyshire ghosted over the line. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

7 - 19

A high restart was knocked on by Keighley and gave Sheffield a scrum.
successive turnovers saw possession shift from team to team.
A 30m sprint by Leon Hobson-Sheriff broke the deadlock and the ball was fed along the backline first one way and then the other.
Lucas Ryan drove the ball in and was unfortunate to lose it in the contact on the try line.
Sheffield kicked clear but were brought back for an infringement.

Keighleys backrow tried a blindside move from the scrum and drove over the try line Leon Hobson -Sheriff emerging with the ball and the points. Ethan Lawrie hit the post with his conversion attempt.

7 - 24

Sheffield were behind in points but, showing great character, definitely not giving up contested for the ball at every opportunity.

Loose ball from a Keighley scrum was gathered and fed to Dan Smillie who fed the ball on.
A late challenge came in from Sheffield and a penalty was awarded to Keighley.
Unfortunately Smillie had to leave the pitch due to injury.
Keighley opted to kick for points and Lennon Curr slotted the ball over in fine retribution for the infringement.

7 - 27

The final passage of play unfolded as keighley break gained a penalty and Lenon Curr capped a fine kicking game drilling the ball into touch 10m from the Sheffield try line.
Nico Mori secured the lineout throw and the pack drove for the line.
Lucus Ryan fed Jack Rodbourne and on to Joel Waddington who joined the line at speed and crossed the whitewash in fine style, adding the conversion to seal the victory

7 - 34

Full time

Coaches Comment:

The boys dealt with a tough fixture with a focused determination; each of the lads appeared to be focused on putting in a performance with something to prove. Perhaps there is one eye on a starting place for the next round of the Yorkshire Cup!!

The Coaches rotated several players into different positions over the full fifty minutes. There was no noticeable detraction in the structure of the game; which is a credit to the way in which the players respond to new challenges.

Another tough game next week against Dinnington; where we hope that the current progress and enthusiasm will continue. Another well done to the lads; keep it going! - Steve Welch.

Captains Comment:

'All of the lads stepped up on a physical game.
The lads put everything we have been practicing in training into the game, supporting players and rucking in pairs.'
Ethan Lawrie